How to be a waitress?

Question

I am about to apply for a waitressing job and will be telling them I was a waitress before. Is there anything I need to know? Do you really need experience to be a waitress? I always see that they are asking for ones with experience. Don't you just learn the menu and serve it to them? What's the big deal? I'm not putting waitresses down or saying the job is not physically tiring...but does it really require any type of prior knowledge?

Answer 1

When you are in a restaurant being served, what do you look for in the service you get. What do you not like about the service you get. Use that as a guide. I know for me, it is most irritating when they bring my order to me and it is wrong. The waitress did not cook the food, but they should check that the order is correct before taking it to the customer. That always causes a deduction in the amount of tip left. I know they need to be polite and friendly, but if it is faked, not genuine, then the customer can spot that a mile away and it will affect your tip. It is not rocket science. It does not even require a high school diploma, so there is no excuse for many screw ups. An incompetent waitress not only affects their own tips, but ultimately the business when those patrons won't come back again because of the poor service one person provided; or the restaurant loses money because they have to provide someone with a discount or free food to make up for the poor service in hopes they will come back again. If you start costing a restaurant its business and clientele, you will lose your job.

Answer 2

Despite what most people think, serving is actually a very complex job that requires a number of different skills: customer service skills (to deal with people that treat you like you're an idiot, when you're not), money management (making change, dealing with cashouts, and managing your income from tips), time management (knowing what stage of the meal each of your tables is at, so that someone doesn't finish their meal and wait 20 minutes for their plate to be cleared), memory (to know the offered menu choices and their ingredients), great personal hygiene, the ability to smile (even when you are tired, haven't had a break, and some guy is yelling at you because there are onions on his burger). I could list about a 100 more skills that servers require, but I'm hoping you've got my point already.

Serving is a great way to make tax-free money, but you DO need experience for any remotely worthwhile position. I recommend getting a job as a hostess or bus person and then prove yourself enough to be bumped up to waitressing.

And never lie and say youo have experience. They will see that you don't, and will think that you're incompetant when it comes to serving. Do you really want your coworkers to talk about how much you suck, and how they hate covering up for you while you happily whisk that tip money off the table? We've all worked with one of those people. Experienced waitresses will help you out for a little while, and then will sit back and watch you sink in the hole you've dug for yourself.

Answer 3

Waitressing is the biggest acting gig you will ever have! You have to treat the customer with respect, smile, and pretend your happy EVEN if you aren't. The minute you walk into that door at work you have to drop all you problems at the door, you can always pick them up on your way out.

I am a general manager right now, I have worked long and hard to get where I am, I have seen many people say that they have waited tables and brag about how many tables they can handle, come to find out on a busy night they can barely handle 3! No matter what you tell your employer they will figure out you lied eventually, if you do, it will take some time to earn their trust........

I'm not saying Serving is difficult, but it can be frustrating. It's all about timing and salesmanship. If you are the type of person that excels under pressure and i mean there may be time that are pure chaos........then go for it, but maybe tell them you have been a busser or host before instead of a waitress, then they will know you have restaurant capabilities and are willing to work your way up

Answer 4

besides what the others said, its important to try to listen to what the customer says and know enough to ask questions at times. for example, a customer may say Please, dont put a tomato in my salad. if your salads are pre-made and have tomatoes already on them, you should ask if they have an allergy, because most restaurants just take the tomato (or whatever it is) off but that could still affect an allergic person, so if the person says that they are allergic to tomatoes you must be certain to have a new one made and alert the kitchen when you know of an allergy issue. stuff like that i would say is important to be sensitive to. other than that, when you apply or will be having an interview, it would be a good idea to ask if you can take a menu home to study it. that will cut down on questions you have for the trainer plus showing you know your stuff. what i have found to be important is to be as honest as possible w/your customers. if they ask you what you like and dont like on the menu, be honest and tell them, also, that that is your taste but such and such is popular w/customers. and if there is a delay w/someones order, let them know so they know you are doing all u can so they know its a kitchen problem, not a problem w/the job you are doing for them. many will still get an attitude, but there are those who will appreciate you giving them a timeline. anywho, im sure u will do just fine. good luck :)

Answer 5

Tell them you are experienced , (when you're not)
And then work it about 2 hours and if you are still there , it will be a miracle unless it is a small mom and pop with like 5 customers .

Take orders efficiently , getting it to the cooks , getting all the side order & beverages , and getting them their food when it is ready and NOT when you get time takes major skill .
Also to maintain a cordial , welcoming demeanor , when you are rushed to the hilt is a special talent all in itself .

I made excellent $$$$$ in restaurants And I saw lots of girls last 2 days or make little $$$$ .

Much better to say you just have a bit of experience and get them to coach you .
If you go out cold , the bosses will know inside an hour you are a fake if you claim "experience" and you are not .

FYI - there is a lot of side work and often bussing that is also required . It is not all table service .


<

Answer 6

Waitress is more than just 'selling' foods and serving foods. There are backroom things such as being able to count so that you collect the correct $$$, able to write, polite, friendly, able to interact with fellow co-workers and customers.

Answer 7

You just need to know how to deal with customers,they will probably train you anyway.